Babymoon

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures uploaded.  I feel like it has been a whirlwind since we got back from vacation and I can't seem to catch my breath.  As a brief update, we did find a washer and dryer late last week and it was delivered on Saturday.  YAY......except for the fact that the existing plug was a 120 V and the new dryer requires 220 V (Lesson learned: double check these little details before you have someone come to install something).  So needless to say, we have a beautiful set sitting in our basement at the moment, but no clean clothes in our closets.  B thinks that he can tackle the electrical update (which I will definitely write about whether he is successful or not), but he won't be able to get to it until Saturday morning.  EEK!!  Thank goodness we both own an ungodly amount of underwear, otherwise I would have to run out and buy some to get us through the week.  And just in case anyone is confused.......yes, we could definitely wash our clothes, but I don't like the feeling of rack-dried clothes (and since it has been raining for the last 12 days and hanging them outside to dry isn't an option).  Maybe I'm being picky, but I feel like the clothes are really stiff if you dry them inside.  Not my favorite.....but if this goes on longer than Saturday, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do a few loads. 

And in other house-related news, our upstairs bathroom (which I don't think I've ever shown here on the blog....brace yourself) is causing us some problems as well. 

Lovely, right?  It's actually an old picture.  We have since painted the white door black, replaced the toilet with a white one (shame to see old blue go though) and removed the curtains, but overall it still looks pretty awful.  Enough reminiscing though, onto the story of the day.  So......during a routine lather-fest, the soap dish broke off and left us with a gaping 8x10" hole that goes through to the studs.  It would have been easily fixable with some grout and caulking except for the fact that it smashed into 1000 pieces when it hit the tub floor and is far from usable at this point.  I did find a replacement one at HD (they didn't seem to carry the same blue tile from the 60's anymore, but I settled for a white one instead), but its a little bit bigger than the hole, so we are going to have to chisel off a 1/16 of an inch to make it fit.  More on that later though....

But I digress.  Let's get to the pictures.....

It was paradise.  As I said before, we would have been really happy anywhere in the world (as long as it wasn't at work or at home), but this was definitely an amazing destination.  I would highly recommend Grand Cayman to anyone (with one small caveat....the exchange rate is 1.25 to 1, so the food is pretty expensive, but as long as you know that going in and budget for it, it should be fine!!!). 

And here are some shots of the happy couple....

And finally, on to the highly requested belly shots........duh duh duh....

I was 27 weeks when these pictures were taken, so just shy of the third trimester mark.  I'm finally feeling good, but the whole scale tipping thing is still a little hard for me to swallow.  The doc says that we are "on track" as far as the weight gaining goes, but it's still hard to see the numbers go up every week....eek!  We had an appointment yesterday in fact, (we are 28.5 weeks at this point) and I've gained 22 lbs since we conceived.  Ultimately everything looks good though and he is doing really well, so that's all that really matters.  My original goal at the beginning of this pregnancy was to stay in the lower part of the 25-35 lb. recommended weight gain parameter, but it's looking like I'm going to be closer to 35 when all is said and done.  I hear that breastfeeding helps a little to get rid of the weight gain, so I'm just going to hope for that and see how it goes.  I definitely don't expect to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes for the trip home from the hospital, but I would also like to avoid wearing maternity clothes for too long after little B arrives...here's hoping!  Any tips on how to shed the post-pregnancy weight are welcomed!

I'll be back soon with details on the washer and dryer decision...stay tuned!

Photo Shoot

I had the honor a few weeks ago to help design a "mock" wedding reception photo shoot with Christa Elyse Photography.  It was so much fun working outdoors and with lots of fresh flowers- a fun departure from decorating interiors.  We choose a simple location that had some great old oak trees and a wonderful barn-like structure that was actually an entrance to a neighborhood.  It was so funny to have all the cars stopping and asking us if we were having a wedding.  One little man stopped and asked us if we were selling flowers for Mothers Day!  
And you should have seen me standing on top of the table trying to hoist the chandelier over the tree limb!! We forgot rope to hang it from so we had to think on the fly and just used the electrical wiring and some zip ties to secure it.

To see more pictures from the shoot visit Wedding Chicks

It makes me almost want to have another wedding! (with the same groom of course!! LOL)

Color Restriction: An Ode to Spring Yellows

Nothing heralds the arrival of Spring to me quite like the color yellow! It comes like a daring shock after months of winter’s muted tones, as if Nature wants to grab our attention and give us a much needed shot of hope that warmer days are coming. Daffodils/Narcissus flowers, tulips, and little blossoming buds on trees paint the canvas of a spring that hasn’t popped complete, but holds promise. They are the early signals for the multitude of colors that are on their way — and we can look forward to a full spectrum of bright colors that will thrive in the weather to come.

Because of it’s brightness (like our yellow sun), we’ve adopted yellow into our society to convey a sense of urgency - utilizing it for warnings signs, alerts, and hazards. It draws our attention. In spite of it’s cheerful dominance, it’s also become associated with cowardice. Interestingly, this most likely has to do with how yellow is a color associated with illness ( like yellow jaundice) or fear (like peeing your pants from fright*). Again, it’s a sort of natural sign to pay attention, to be careful and cautious, which is part of what being a coward is all about. But the boldness of the color yellow itself, is hardly cowardly, merely the associations we attach to it.

Oh - and let’s not forget about bees, wasps, and other animals who use yellow as a strong statement to would-be predators; watch out!

Whatever the use, yellow definitely makes a striking statement. As I mentioned in February’s Ode to Winter Whites, I enjoy how much variety can still be enjoyed in the restriction of the color palette. And so, I present to you a few recent photos that celebrate and emphasize the color yellow while we anxiously await for Spring to bloom fully.

Of course, yellow awaits us in the Autumn... the changing leaves being used by nature to herald the arrival of Winter...but let's not dwell on that, and enjoy the glorious season we're in right now!

Color Restriction: An Ode to Winter Whites

I know from experience we can get overwhelmed by all the choices presented us in creating new artwork, we sometimes want to throw everything we've got into it; all the colors, all the techniques, all the possibilities. But too much of a good thing can muddy the overall look of a work. We think of the word "restriction" in a negative and limiting fashion, but sometimes it helps bring clarity and focus to the art.  Much can be done with a limited palette, particularly in regard to colors. When you impose limits, you define the perimeters of your work, which guides the process and allows you to get the most out of it.

Winter is one of those glorious seasons that strips away much of the color in the temperate climates, offering up an opportunity to enjoy the starkness and pave the way towards a burst of color and life come spring. Winter forces us into limits, especially when it blankets everything in a glorious blanket of white snow that to some people is an annoyance, but to others quite magical.

Many famous artists have made a name for themselves by painting stark white canvases, which at first glance are straightforward, but at further examination offer a fine amount of variety in the detail. So try limiting yourself in some manner, whether in color, in your building materials, or subject matter.

The following are pictures from recent travels back to a good old Iowa winter, which convey a very limited color scheme of winter whites:

In the meadow we can build a...

Back alley icicles

Geese along the Iowa River

An ice flow

Wing over Iowa landscape

A river winding

Smokestacks

Do you catch my drift?

Don't eat the yellow snow!

CRAZY FOR A FOX (Part 1): KRYS

Krys Fox, photographer and performance artist, poses at his apartment on 12-15-10

One of the most important elements to have along a creative journey is community. Whether the experiences on the path of life offer up challenging twists where friendship encourages us to move through them, or exciting turns where friendship to share it with enhances the excitement, building a connection with people that have different views on life offers up many rewards. The weaving together of different views enriches our palette as we come to understand what drives other people on their own personal journey, giving us the ability to reflect upon ours with a new perspective. Human nature often seeks to make comparisons or compete with each other, but when we can see beyond our ego’s individual needs and see each of us as manifestations of the same cosmic singularity, as one creative force with many variations, we can revel in and resonate with the lives of others.

Throughout history there are great examples where groups of artists gathered to share ideas, contributing to a cross-pollination of energies. This concept has always been near and dear to my heart, and when I see it in this light, I really get to admire the qualities that make us all unique flowers blossoming in the garden of life.

Krys & a flower blossoming in LA circa 2003

So, after that introduction, we come to a profile of another dear colleagues on this creative journey: Krys Fox. This week, Krys celebrates his first gallery opening in his new home of Brooklyn, a group show with some other talented artist called WOLF PACK opening tomorrow February 10 --  see WOLFPACK INVITE
If you are in the NYC area, this is not one to miss, as the synergy of these artists and the “pack” they hang with is electric and palpable through the advance buzz on the internet. I wish I could be there, but can admire the energy from afar.

WOLFPACK: Scooter LaForge, Walt Cessna & Krys Fox photographed by Devin Elijah Bklyn 10

In the ten plus years I’ve known Krys I’ve always admired his bold and unusual approach to life and the great charisma and style he exudes while doing it. He’s is a living work of art, reflected on the surface through his flare for fashion, make-up, hair-style, and tattoos, but also deeply present in his adventurous spirit and bold heart inside. As much as he has been influenced by the art world around him, he has influenced others in their styles. But few can pull off the edgy flare like Krys can. His unique look and ability to pull any second-hand frock into haute couture has made him a most excellent model for many photographers, and come to great use as a performance artist on stage. But Krys also applies his keen eye towards styling models for his own photography, and the various make-up and distortions he gives to them brings out the vulnerable and mysterious. You can always tell a model has been given the unique Krys Fox treatment...

Modeling after being "Krysed up" in 2000

When I met Krys he flattered me by asking me to model for him, and thus a great connection was made. It was one of those mutually attracted vibes that was discovered to really be a friendship, an admiration for a fellow creative flower in the garden. Our pollination was through art, and after seeing just how amazing his photography was from that session and the pictures in his portfolio, I knew Krys needed to have his own gallery show, but neither of quite had the funds. But the intention was put out into the Universe, and answered. We worked with a producing partner interested in helping contribute to the printing and framing his works for his first gallery opening at Phyllis’ Garage in 2001.

Krys Fox Photography at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I’ll be talking a lot about Phyllis’ Garage in the months to come, for this year marks its 10 year anniversary celebration, PGX and the theme is Re*Connection, a reunion to bring together some of the original artists of the performance and art space both physically and virtually online. More information can be found at: http://pgxproductions.blogspot.com/

Jeff, Krys, & Jason (the three producers) at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I feel it’s important for artists to also be patrons of the arts when possible. I would urge everyone to experience this along their creative paths and make it part of their palette. To have been both a model and co-producer (with Jeff Roberts), then see Krys’ amazing works of early photography hanging up on the walls of the Phyllis' Garage gallery space I co-created (with R. Sky Palkowitz) was a great thrill. To see him continuing to evolve and create his photography, taking on new models for his new show, furthers that thrill. Krys and his art was meant to shine, I've just been lucky to get to have been a small part of it during my own path. There may be a bit of a selfish rush one could find in that, but there’s also a pure bliss that comes from watching a friend cross-pollinating anew with others and blossoming!

It's marvelous to have watched Krys' development take shape. He applies his spirit to everything he does, mashing up bits of culture with a great dash of himself to spice up his work to give it that unique Krys flavor. Wherever he goes, he dives into the scene becoming a well-known part of it. His recent work had definitely been invigorated by the energy of New York and his partner and friends there, but the talent is all his and it comes through in every image. I look forward to what's next.

"Krysed up" again in 2003

Keep your eyes and hearts open. While you work on your own art, see what else is out there that moves you. Enrich your life by deepening your connection and support of other artists. Be a conduit of the Universe for manifesting what is destined. Make it a goal this year to model for a photographer, pose for a painter, sponsor a project, market an event, or gather a group meeting; whatever form it takes — cross-pollinate.

So onward brother Krys! BLOSSOM!

To keep track of Krys Fox’s work, follow his photography blog at: http://krysfox.tumblr.com/

And check out WOLF PACK:
http://www.artslant.com/ny/events/show/145507-wolfpack

Krys at his Phyllis' Garage opening in 2001

Krys' works on the wall at the LAGLC Village in 2004

Another Krys pic from our 2000 photo session

Lions and Tigers and Bears....Oh my!

Ok....it's really more like lions and zebras and elephants...but you get the idea.  It sounded better the first way!

So, in lieu of announcing the deck reveal, or going into another long rant about cozying up my casa, I thought I would take a break from the regularly scheduled programming and share some photos with you today.  I was going through our Africa photos on my computer last night and came across these ones, which are some of my favorites. 

And since we have officially been back from Africa for a month now, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a few more snippets of our experience.  These were all taken with my small Canon PowerShot Digital ELPH camera.  Not too bad, little one. 

I still have yet to upload all of the photos from our new SLR camera (since our computer is currently claiming there's no room at the inn for memory capacity)....but I will have a lot more close-up shots (we're talking snots in the nose of a giraffe and fuzz on the head of a baby baboon) to share once we can figure out how to remedy the space issue.  Honestly, we are in the market for a new computer anyway, so this might just be the push we needed to take the plunge.  Not in the budget, though, my friends!  Maybe Santa will bring us something special under the tree this year! 

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

As promised, here are a few pictures from our trip to Tanzania.  So far, I have only uploaded the photos from our small camera (Canon PowerShot SD960 ELPH), so this is just a sampling (we took about 1,000 with this one, 3,000 with our Canon Rebel 2Ti and another 350 with our Sony alpha wide angle.  In other words, WAAAY too many photos!!) 

There is A LOT more where this came from (including details on the accommodations, style, decor and other fun thoughts on Africa), but I wanted to give you a little taste for the time being....

 

And, to answer the question that I'm sure all of you are thinking....NO! I could not get the Toto song "Africa" out of my head the ENTIRE time I was there.  Especially the one morning when it rained.....I LITERALLY "felt the rains down in Africa"....haha!  Crazy!